A Composite of Nb2O5 and MoO2 as a High-Capacity High-Rate Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A composite of Nb2O5 and MoO2 was synthesised using a hydrothermal reaction (225 degrees C) followed by a short heat-treatment step (600 degrees C) to achieve a high-capacity, high-rate anode for lithium-ion battery applications. The composite was shown via powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to be an intimate mix of individual oxide particles rather than an atomically mixed oxide material, and shown by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) to contain a 45 : 55 ratio of Nb : Mo. This material is demonstrated to show notable rate capability in lithium (Li) half-cell cycling and rate tests. When cycled at 100 degrees C the material achieved over 100 mAh g(-1) even after 400 cycles and shows a stable reversible capacity of 514 mAh g(-1) (at 1 C), realising its theoretical capacity. The composite shows electrochemical results comparable to Nb2O5:C composites yet achieves far higher capacities at low-rate due to the MoO2 content.

Automated summary

A composite of Nb2O5 and MoO2 was synthesized and demonstrated as a high-capacity, high-rate anode for lithium-ion batteries. The composite showed an intimate mix of individual oxide particles, and a ratio of Nb : Mo of 45: 55. It exhibited notable rate capability and achieved a stable reversible capacity of 514 mAh g(-1), realizing its theoretical capacity.